travel work visa new zealand

• American Summers

Working Holiday New Zealand

Live the high life as a lift attendant in Queenstown, play the field fruit picking in Hawkes Bay or cause a stir working as a barista in Wellington.

Why do a working holiday in New Zealand?

Home to ice-carved peaks, cloud-hitting waterfalls and miles of empty golden beaches, New Zealand is spellbinding. Which is appropriate given that until recently, the country had its own national wizard. (Not Gandolf, his name was actually Ian and he lives in Christchurch). But it’s not just the filmset Lord of the Rings landscapes that make New Zealand such a magical place to live and work. Small and proud, New Zealand has an inspirational culture, outdoor lifestyle and laidback outlook that makes travelers form a lifelong connection – arriving as visitors and leaving as locals. Plus, the NZD $20 an hour minimum wage, chance to work a ski season, and national obsession with pies doesn’t hurt either.

Best work experience ever! I got to meet and work with people from all over the world — a situation that I will never experience again!

This once-in-a-lifetime trip will also give you the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of New Zealand: drive along Ninety Mile Beach, experience the majesty of Milford Sound or swim with the dolphins off the Kaikoura coast. Picture yourself working at a ski resort on the South Island or work at a vineyard in sunny Marlborough! New Zealand is a country that will never cease to amaze you!

Spend up to 12 months in New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa starting with a 6 Night Arrival Package in Auckland through IENA’s in country partner BUNAC. Once your 12-month visa is approved, you would have 12 months to enter New Zealand from the date of approval, and then 12 months to live and work from the day of arrival into NZ!

Pre-arrival Inclusions:

• Pre-departure online orientation with the New Zealand team
• Access to WhatsApp group with Travelers arriving to New Zealand
• Bank account assistance before arrival

In-country Inclusions:

• Arrival airport transfer to arrival hostel in Auckland
• Six nights’ hostel accommodation in Auckland
• Detailed job-hunting workshop
• New Zealand SIM card
• Bank account assistance
• IRD (tax) number assistance
• Auckland Ferry and Devonport trip
• Organized social events
• Long-term accommodation support
• Mail holding and forwarding service
• Travel planning assistance
• Support for the duration of your working holiday visa
• NZD $20 an hour minimum wage

IEP Work Exchange Program

This exclusive special category visa is only open to US citizens aged 18–30 including those who have previously been to New Zealand on a Working Holiday visa.

• Basic Working Holiday program package (see above)
• Visa sponsorship under the exclusive IEP Work Exchange Scheme.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of the United States and have a valid US passport
• Be between age 18 and 35 (inclusive)
• Be able to produce proof of support funds equivalent to NZ$4,200 or more on arrival to New Zealand.
• Not bring children or dependents with you to New Zealand on this program
• Meet health and character requirements

Job Opportunities

On the IENA Working Holiday New Zealand Program, you can take any job you are qualified to do. The original idea behind a Working Holiday was for visa holders to take casual incidental work to supplement their income while traveling around this amazing country. However, if you would prefer to stay in one location, that is okay too! It’s your choice!

Accommodations

Hostel vs flatting.

If you plan to use the program to travel around the country to gain a true cultural experience, you would be better off staying in hostels. If you plan to stay in one location, then ‘flatting’- renting a shared flat (apartment), would be more cost-effective.

Costs in New Zealand

A room in a shared flat will cost approximately NZ$180+ per week outside of Auckland and NZ$250 in Auckland, a two bedroom flat will cost approximately NZ$500 per week, and you will generally need to pay a bond of 4 weeks rent plus the first 2 weeks rent in advance. On average, you will also need approximately NZ$150 per week for food, etc.

Travel Information

Traveling in new zealand.

You can book your own flight and arrive any date you choose, but please keep in mind that orientations are only held in Auckland and you will want to be sure not to miss out on this valuable program inclusion. We will use your confirmed flight itinerary to book your arrival accommodation in Auckland.

The North Island

The North Island is an exciting mix of busy cities and peaceful countryside. Maori culture is a strong feature in the North Island and the opportunity to experience Maoritanga (Maori art and culture) is one of the highlights of any journey through New Zealand. The North Island is known for unspoiled beaches, immense Kauri trees and volcanic thermal activity. Visit Auckland, Northland, Waikaito, Bay of Plenty, Taupo and New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.

The South Island

The South Island, or the Mainland, is a showcase of everything New Zealand is famous for. The landscape is diverse and beautiful, from farmland to mountains, deserted beaches to rainforests, and glaciers to vineyards. It provides the ideal environment for outdoor activities. Skiing, jet boarding, bungee jumping and world-renowned tramping are but a few of the activities you can experience. Visit Nelson and Marlborough (check out the wine festival held every February), West Coast, Canterbury, Queenstown, Otago and Southland.

What to See and Do in Auckland

• Bungee Jumping originated in New Zealand so it is a must do activity. The Auckland Harbor Bridge Bungee is a great first try. It’s a 40 meter fall with an optional dip into the harbor!
• Bridge Climb – If Bungee isn’t your thing you might like the Auckland Harbor Bridge Climb. You will be harnessed in while walking and climbing over one of Auckland’s famous landmarks. www.bungy.co.nz
• Sky Tower – Auckland’s Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere and arguably Auckland’s most famous landmark. www.skycity.co.nz
• Sky Jump – For all the thrill-seekers out there – leap off Auckland’s famous Sky Tower – 192 meters straight down! www.skyjump.co.nz
• Sky Walk – Walk 1.2-meter-wide walkway around Auckland’s Sky Tower – 192 meters above ground, no hand rails and nothing but air either side of you! www.skywalk.co.nz
• America’s Cup Sailing – The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Auckland is the city of Sails so why not jump aboard a yacht and experience the city from the water.

Skiing and Snowboarding

New Zealand has some of the best skiing and snowboarding locations in the Southern Hemisphere. Great for those who are looking for an alpine adventure. www.snow.co.nz

• North Island – Whakapapa Ski Area is on the north-western slopes. Turoa Ski Area is on the south-western slopes. Mt. Ruapehu is home to New Zealand’s largest Ski Areas with 1,800 hectares of serious room to move. www.mtruapehu.com
• South Island – The most prominent ski fields in the South Island are Coronet Peak and The Remarkable www.nzski.com , Mt Hutt www.nzski.com/mthutt/ , Cardrona www.snowparknz.com and Treble Cone www.treblecone.co.nz .

Interesting Facts About New Zealand

• New Zealand’s Southern Alps are bigger than the Swiss, French and Austrian Alps combined! They rise to over 2,000 meters in a spine across the back of the South Island.
• There are nine sheep to every human in New Zealand.
• Ninety-mile beach is only 55miles long.
• Kiwi refers to New Zealand’s native flightless bird and is also used as a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit kiwifruit, also known as Chinese Gooseberries.
• You drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, and always give way to cars on your right.

Application and Fees

Stage 1 of the application.

Please set up an IENA account and complete the online IENA Outbound Program application. We will assess your application and then invoice you for payment of our program fee. After payment is processed and you are accepted to the program you will be emailed stage two of the application process.

Stage 2 of the Application

• Applying for your visa — don’t worry, IENA will provide step-by-step instructions and guidance on how to secure your visa!
• Booking your flight to New Zealand – IENA’s preferred travel provider can assist with flights.
• Purchasing travel and medical insurance — it is a visa requirement that you have proof of medical coverage (including medical evacuation and repatriation of remains) on entry to New Zealand. Note: You will not be covered under the socialized medical system in place in New Zealand.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: Please allow a minimum of 6 weeks for application processing.

Program Fees

Working Holiday Visa: $1599 (limited visas available)

US nationals may apply for the Working Holiday Visa through INZ website using this link  https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/united-states-of-america-working-holiday-visa

Other costs to consider for all options:

• Flights – You must have proof of a pre-paid flight into New Zealand and exiting New Zealand.
• Travel insurance – You can provide your own insurance or purchase a policy from IENA. Medical, accident and repatriation (insurance is a mandatory visa requirement)
• Support funds equivalent to NZ$4200 (this is a visa requirement, and you may be required to provide proof upon arrival)

Cancellation Conditions

Basic Working Holiday Program

If you cancel from the program before your step 2 deadline, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $200. If you cancel after we have received your step 2 materials, no refund is possible. In the extremely rare event that the New Zealand Visa Application Center denies your visa application you will be refunded your program fee minus a cancellation fee of $200. If your visa application is denied for reasons which you had not previously disclosed to IENA, you will forfeit $400. In either case of visa denial, if you have purchased IENA insurance the insurance premium is fully refundable.

Please note that the above cancellation conditions apply to the IENA Working Holiday New Zealand Program fees. Separate cancellation conditions may apply to any flight bookings you make.

Any cancellation must be received in writing and is only effective from the date we receive it. Please note that separate cancellation fees and conditions will undoubtedly apply to any flight bookings you make.

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Home » Oceania » New Zealand » Everything You Need to Know about Working Holidays in New Zealand | 2024

Everything You Need to Know about Working Holidays in New Zealand | 2024

Going on a working holiday is a special kind of experience. If you’re looking to escape the stale rat race of your regular job, and embark on long term travels, then you should totally consider a working holiday !

In my opinion, one of the best countries to explore through a work and travel arrangement is New Zealand! This absolute gem of a country is the perfect shake up that your life needs. Not only will you learn about the Kiwi’s wonderful work/life balance, but you will get to explore some of the world’s most stunning landscapes during your time off.

Do you want to explore Hobbiton one weekend and bungee jump over a lake the next? In New Zealand, that’s pretty standard, bro! There are also incredible multi-day treks you can take through some of the juiciest mountains known to Earth. And not to mention, Kiwis are some of the friendliest and most down to earth people you’ll ever meet – win, win!

You may ask – how do I plan for a working holiday in New Zealand? What visa do I get? Where in the country do I go? And who will look after my dog?!

Ok, I can’t tell you who will look after your dog.. but I can give you insights on all the other logistics! In this post I’m going to tell you all my tips and tricks for organising a DIY working holiday adventure – and also about the necessary visas and such!

I will also gently yell at you to get a working holiday visa for New Zealand ! A lifetime worth of memories awaits.

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Taking a Working Holiday in New Zealand

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Anyone who is looking to take a career break, go on a grown-up gap year , or wanting to travel without a dime to their name should consider going on a working holiday.

New Zealand is the land of working hard and playing harder . However you stack your cash while traveling, it’s the life that happens around work that you will remember for years to come. This magnificent country has SO MUCH to explore and adventure, the moments of working will only make up a small percentage of your time. And you can always consider backpacking New Zealand once your employment is up to see even more of it!

When the workday is done there is no more vegging out and watching Netflix. Instead, there are whole new cities to discover, and fresh surfing trips to plan! With a working holiday in New Zealand, you get to try on a whole other way of living, and who knows? Maybe you’ll even fall in love with it…

Not to mention, the added bonus of working while on holiday is that you won’t have an awkward gap in your CV. You’ll have a sexy year abroad with invaluable experience gained!

Since there are so many work and volunteering options, it might get a bit overwhelming to choose what to do. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Check out these two options…

Go with Worldpackers

Worldpackers is an online company that connects travelers with foreign volunteer hosts who then  work in exchange for housing . That being said, Worldpackers does do more than just connect volunteers to hosts. It offers a plethora of additional resources, a great support network, a blogging platform for collaboration, and a whole lot more.

Sounds pretty rad, right? But wait, there’s more!

According to their mission statement, Worldpackers is “ a community based on collaboration and honest relationships that make travel more accessible to those seeking a profound cultural experience. ” They value  environmentalism ,  authenticity ,  growth  and  working together  above all else and make a great effort to provide the best experience possible.

And even better – Broke Backpacker readers get a  special discount of $10 ! When you use our special hookup, it makes even more sense to pay. Just use this Worldpackers discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and membership is discounted from $49 a year to $39.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Go with Global Work and Travel

With companies like Global Work and Travel handling all the small details, you really don’t have any excuse not to give it a go!

It’s got a bit of a different approach than Worldpackers, but it offers JUST as many amazing opportunities for travellers.

It provides  working holidays, teaching abroad, volunteering, au pair and student internship packages . On top of that, the agency plans, sorts and assists with visa requirements, connections to local businesses, accommodation search and job interviews.

Most products even come with flights and basic medical insurance, a 24/7 Emergency line and payment plans.

Rightio, what do you REALLY need to know about cashing checks and hiking mountains in New Zealand?

I found that planning a working holiday can get over complicated, when really it can be simple! I mean sure, it’s an epic adventure that breeds crazy stories for years to come, but you’ve got to K.I.S.S (keep it simple, stupid). 

If you’re planning a working holiday, here are the top easy tips for New Zealand : 

• Work out the best visa for you. If you’re 18 – 30/35, then chances are the designated working holiday visa fits the bill. This visa allows you to travel the whole of New Zealand while finding work along the way. It also covers things like internships and volunteering, or WWOOFing ! 
• Know the length of your stay. The longer that you want to stay, the more a working holiday visa makes sense. Although, if you only have time for a quick visit to New Zealand to help out at a volunteer project, then a working holiday programme may not be for you. 
• Make a budget. I mean, all work and no play makes this just a dull, regular job. It’s a working HOLIDAY, after all. Find out how much you want to spend each month on fun activities (like bungee jumping!), and how much you’ll need to be earning from your travel job !  
• Find accommodation and transport. New Zealand’s only fault might be that their housing is pretty expensive! Keep a lookout for something both comfortable and affordable – and be clear about your budget from the get-go. I’d recommend getting your own vehicle if you’re going to be in New Zealand for more than three months. Even though the country is small, it’s cheaper and logistically easier to have your own transport! Plus, you can usually sell your car or van for almost what you paid for it when you leave the country.
• Find the right job. Remember that if you don’t like this job, you can always find another. Especially when on your working holiday adventure, don’t settle for a job that makes you miserable! And take the opportunity to try out different fields. Maybe hospo, or farm work, or even a call centre job will turn out to be more enjoyable than you think. I’d also encourage you to tap into the WWOOFing and volunteering networks in New Zealand because they are full of some truly unique experiences. 
• BONUS! Make sure to smell the daisies. This is a sneaky bonus tip, but in all your planning and working hard, don’t forget to enjoy your time in New Zealand. It’s truly a one in a million place that will have you in awe.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

The working holiday visa requirements and availability varies depending on the nationality of your passport. The best way to stay up to date with the changeable visa information is to visit the New Zealand Immigration website .

Typically though, those between ages 18 and 30 can apply to stay for 12 months in New Zealand. You’re able to work and travel, as well as leave and return to the country in this time period. Generally, you need to have $4200 in your bank account and return tickets out of New Zealand to be considered eligible. 

The visa typically costs around $245 – again, this depends on the nationality of your passport. For example, those from the US are lucky and only have to pay the administrative cost of $24 for their visa!

For Canadians and UK folks, you can apply to stay for up to 23 months on a working holiday visa, but you will be required to submit chest x-rays and other medical records. You’ll also need to have $350 NZD for each month you intend to stay in your bank account. 

As I mentioned earlier, the New Zealand working holiday visa covers internships and volunteering, so if you’re on a gap year in New Zealand – regardless of what you intend to do – this is probably the best visa for you. 

Most of the time, you’ll need to have some kind of insurance to cover your stay, as well as a ticket out of the country. But you don’t need to have a job lined up before you arrive. It’s such a flexible way to get your foot in the door of a country, and start an epic experience.

If you don’t qualify for a working holiday visa, it’s well worth checking out the jobs and skills shortage lists for New Zealand. While other work visas are not as straightforward to obtain, they can lead to residency. If you’re truly looking to change the direction of your life, and you have skills that are in demand in New Zealand, you could consider this option.

Applying for a Working Holiday Visa

It is relatively easy to organise a working holiday visa to New Zealand yourself. You just need to fill in the correct forms through Immigration New Zealand, and tick all the boxes. 

Except, as with all things bureaucracy, it’s not that simple! I’ve been caught up in the whirlwind of visa paperwork, and at times wished I’d just bit the bullet and get some help from an agency. 

With Global Work and Travel , the initial set-up and coordination of visas and flights are made easier with their help. They also provide an orientation, ongoing support, and throw in bonus activities for you to enjoy! 

They’ll help you set up interviews and provide a 24/7 emergency line in case things get hairy. Basically, it’s nice to know someone’s got your back and can help you with the logistics so you can spend more time travelling and less time stressing.

If you are wanting to take a more relaxed working holiday, and not planning to book an organised program, you can still get help with your visa application with Visa First . They will handle the nitty gritty while you sit back and look forward to your trip.

We always recommend having insurance no matter what kind of trip you are planning. World Nomads has been the Broke Backpacker’s go-to insurance provider for years. They’re a reliable company with good coverage and an easy to use website. 

You can read our full review here, or click the doobly-doop below to get signed up today!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Ok, now we’ve gotta talk money. Obviously, you’ve got to have enough money for a plane ticket to New Zealand, as well as the minimum $4200 or so in savings.

At some point you are going to be off to work, so you won’t blow through all of that in a week. But, you do need to think about your budget because it’ll be hugely variable depending on where you choose to stay in New Zealand , as well as your taste for eating out. 

It will also vary greatly depending on which city you spend the most time in. For example, a monthly budget for staying in Wellington or Auckland will be more expensive than one in Nelson or Westport (smaller regional towns). 

Tourist hotspots like Queenstown tend to have more expensive living costs as well (but they are fun to live in!). Including rent, food, transport, and activities, a rough monthly budget for New Zealand in Wellington, Auckland, or other city centres is $800 USD and in regional areas: about $650 USD . If you find work that includes accommodation, or if you eat out more than you cook for yourself, or any number of other factors, then this budget will vary.

Even working a minimum wage job, you should be able to save a little money while working in New Zealand to spend on awesome once in a lifetime experiences!

If New Zealand is just one stop on a longer trip, consider how much money you need to travel for a year !

Before you get any kind of job in New Zealand, you will need to get an IRD number . This allows you to be legit and square your taxes away while travelling. 

Be sure to double-check your visa conditions, as citizens from certain countries are only allowed to stay with one employer for a maximum of three months, or may not be allowed to accept permanent work. 

Some of the most popular backpacker jobs in New Zealand include farm and orchid work, bartending and waitressing, au pair and babysitting, and sales. However, these are certainly not the only jobs on offer – there’s always something a little offbeat to try out like working as a fishing crew, or if you have the relevant skills and experience, settling into a marketing career in one of the cities. 

I worked on fishing boats and in restaurants while I was travelling in New Zealand, and I can guarantee you will gain some crazy stories to bring home from both industries! Other people had a blast working at some of New Zealands vineyards .

The best thing about working in New Zealand is undoubtedly the people. Your co-workers and customers are all absolute characters that are excited to have a new face amongst them. I always felt at home in New Zealand, literally from the moment I landed in the small town of Motueka. 

Backpackers and working holidaymakers can easily open a bank account in New Zealand, which will make paying taxes more straightforward.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – The Artist Formerly Known as Transferwise! It is our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods. Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks. But the real question is… is it better than Western Union?

Yes, it most certainly is.

While you can totally organise your own working holiday adventure, it’s not a complete write off to have some help! The logistics of getting settled into a foreign country can be tricky at the best of times – let alone when you’re also trying to find work.

The visa itself is usually straightforward enough (although take it from someone who has had to fight New Zealand Immigration all too often: sometimes you should take professional help ) work placements can be a little trickier. 

Well, hospitality and farm work is pretty easy to find, but more specialised jobs like au pairing, or any kind of internship require more local contacts. That’s where it can be super useful linking up with an agency like Global Work and Travel. They have extensive networks on the ground and can help you with the more headache-inducing paperwork side of things. 

That way you’re free to touch down and explore the best that New Zealand has to offer!

Au Pair in New Zealand

Being an au pair normally involves living in with a family and providing childcare. You might also do a little bit of cooking and cleaning, but primarily you’ll be looking after kids. I think that this is one of the most amazing opportunities you can have when you’re travelling as it provides a lot of room for personal growth.

You are bound to develop a super close bond with the kids, and it can be hard to say goodbye! You’re also living with a family and having a fully immersive cultural experience.

You can sort out your own au pair job by looking at noticeboards and job boards for backpackers. As it’s one of the most common backpacker jobs, it’s usually pretty easy to find. However, it’s worth vetting the people and getting to them at least a little bit before you move in and start working. 

As you’ll be living, sometimes in close quarters, with your host family so it’s important that you’re a good fit. It’s not just about you working hard enough or them not being accommodating, sometimes you just aren’t going to mesh. 

This is where an agency like Global Work and Travel can come in handy. They’re able to place you in a safe and welcoming placement with a pre-approved family. The agency also provides additional support like setting up a New Zealand bank account and sim card.

Included in the au pair package for Global Work and Travel is first aid training, sightseeing tours, plus 2 weeks of paid vacation every six months. You can expect to work 20 – 40 hours a week and walk away with $200 – $365 per week, with a $1040 bonus at the end of a successful placement. 

So while it’s more than possible to organise your own placements, it does help to have an agency batting in your corner!

Interning in New Zealand

Honestly, unless you have contacts on the ground it’ll be pretty hard to secure yourself an internship in New Zealand. Interning differs from volunteering as it’s a more structured environment that actively helps you move forward with your career. 

There are certainly interning opportunities in New Zealand, but it doesn’t have the same internship culture as the USA, for example. This is where you’d need to rely on Global Work and Travel to help you find a placement. 

Your visa would remain the same (a working holiday) but you can utilise Global Work and Travel’s network of internship placements across a huge variety of career fields. All the usual perks like help with logistics and a bonus sightseeing tour are thrown in for good measure too!

For recent graduates, interning can be an amazing way to feel like you aren’t wasting your time on your working holiday. You truly get the best of both worlds when you get to travel the world and gain amazing insights into your future career. 

As I’ve mentioned, you can totally DIY your working holiday in New Zealand – I certainly did! This is the most flexible option, and most attractive to those with a little backpacking experience under their belts. 

You still need to organise a visa, have flights booked, and enough savings in your account to fall back on – but then the fun begins! When DIY-ing your working holiday, you’ll lean into the hostel life for a number of reasons. Hostels are the cheapest way to live in New Zealand until you get your own van, or even score accommodation through your work. 

Hostels are also great ways to socialise with other backpackers and working holidaymakers. You might even find yourself having a wee fling with a rather dashing German hippy type ;). They will also help you network and find jobs. While online job postings are increasingly the norm, good old word of mouth still helps backpackers score temporary jobs.

If you’re looking for a different type of working holiday experience, you can also try WWOOFing, Worldpackers or Workaway . This is a kind of volunteering where your food and accommodation are covered in exchange for your help on a project. Usually, the projects are some sort of farm work or landscaping, although childcare or artistic projects are also common. 

This arrangement is much more laidback than an actual job, with fewer hours expected to cover your food and accommodation costs. However, you should still give all your energy to the project when you are expected to be working. Even if it’s volunteering, it’s important to take it seriously to get the most out of it. 

There’s simply so many ways to balance a little travel and little work to create your own experience of a lifetime!

Honestly, taking the plunge and going travelling is one of the best things you can do for your personal growth. But crashing and burning through all your savings is pretty stressful. The happy medium is to go on a working holiday adventure.

Not only can you fund your travels, but you get to experience a country from the inside out as you form personal connections. When you get to slow down and enjoy a place for a longer period of time, you develop a stronger connection and it’ll stick with you for many years to come. 

Whether you go at it alone and DIY your working holiday experience, or you lean on the help of a trusted agency, your trip abroad is bound to be EPIC!

Indigo Blue

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Visas and entry requirements

Visas, New Zealand

By Tourism New Zealand

Learn more about the available visa options and entry requirements into Aotearoa New Zealand, including the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

Aotearoa New Zealand enjoys welcoming visitors (manuhiri) to our beautiful country.

Having a valid passport, the right visa and completing the entry requirements are key to a trouble-free entry into New Zealand.

Your passport has to be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date, and if required, have a valid New Zealand visa .

On this page, you'll find helpful information on:

• Arriving in New Zealand
• Visitor visa for a holiday
• Working holiday visa
• Transit visa (through New Zealand or Australia)

New Zealand visa options

Visiting new zealand for a holiday.

You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen travelling on a New Zealand passport or on a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• A foreign passport holder with a valid visa for New Zealand - including a Permanent Resident visa

If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period, you need to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (opens in new window) (NZeTA) before you travel if you are:

• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver (opens in new window) agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)

If you don’t meet the above, then you’ll need a visitor visa. The fastest and easiest way to apply for a visitor visa (opens in new window) is online.

Before travelling to New Zealand, you need to make sure your passport is valid for at least three months longer than your expected departure date.

Be sure to request your NZeTA (opens in new window) , or apply for your visitor visa well in advance of travel to avoid delays, and only use the official NZeTA website to request your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority.

For more information on cost and processing times, visit the official NZeTA website .

If you have a biometric ordinary passport (or electronic passport) and are over 12 years old, you may be able to use New Zealand Customs eGate service. This allows you to complete your Customs and Immigration checks faster so you can get on with enjoying your visit to New Zealand.

Essential travel information

Working holidays.

Working holiday visas (opens in new window) are available to young people, usually aged 18-30 (but 18-35 for a select few nationalities). They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you’re from the UK. To apply you’ll need to meet the visa requirements, and have:

• A return ticket, or enough money to pay for one; and 
• Be coming mainly to holiday, with work being a secondary intention.

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Work visas and staying permanently

If you’re thinking of coming to New Zealand to work for a few years, or maybe even to settle, you’ll need a work or resident visa. To get that – you’re likely to need a job.

For information about working in New Zealand, including industry profiles, tips on job hunting, and a list of job sites to check out, visit New Zealand Now. (opens in new window)

Transiting through New Zealand or Australia

If you are travelling to New Zealand via an Australian airport, you may also need an Australian visa – consult your travel agent or airline if you are unsure.

Transit visas (opens in new window) will also be needed for all people travelling via New Zealand, unless they are specifically exempted by immigration policy.

More information about visas

The visa and immigration information on this page is just a summary. For everything you need to know about coming to New Zealand, visit Immigration New Zealand. (opens in new window)

Find out if you need a visa

Arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand

Everyone entering New Zealand needs to complete a  New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) (opens in new window)  including babies and children.

Traveller Declaration requirements (opens in new window)

It’s free and you can complete it on the NZTD website or by downloading the NZTD app ahead of your travel.

You can start your NZTD at a time that suits you. If arriving by plane, the earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. An NZTD needs to be submitted by the time you reach New Zealand passport control.

If arriving by boat (including cruise ships), the earliest you can submit your NZTD is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand.

It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand. ​

If you apply for a visa or NZeTA, you still need to complete an NZTD (opens in new window) .

Here's how to complete your declaration online. 

The form is available in English and Te Reo Māori, as well as simplified and traditional Chinese Mandarin. 

From April 2024, the form will be in 12 more languages: Hindi, Samoan, Fijian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Tagalog, Tamil, Tongan, and Portuguese.

Paper NZTD forms will be available for travellers who cannot complete it online.

Fill out your NZ Traveller Declaration

What you can bring into New Zealand

After you’ve cleared passport control, you should collect your baggage and proceed through customs and biosecurity checks. In order to protect New Zealand and its environment, certain items are not allowed to be brought into the country, have restrictions for entry or must be declared if they are deemed to present a biosecurity risk. These include food, plants, animal products and outdoor recreational equipment.

Your baggage may be sniffed by a detector dog and/or x-rayed, and it may be searched to identify any risk goods you might be carrying.

To avoid penalties it is best to familiarise yourself with these guidelines prior to travel. For a detailed list of prohibited, restricted or declarable items, please visit Ministry for Primary Industries (opens in new window) (biosecurity agency).

Allowances and duty free concessions

As a visitor to New Zealand you may be entitled to various concessions and duty free entries on some of your goods. If you are 17 years or older, you are entitled to allowances for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco. For detailed information on allowances and duty free concessions, please visit New Zealand Customs (opens in new window) .

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Applying for a work visa

If you're planning to work in New Zealand and you’re not a citizen or permanent resident of NZ or Australia, you’ll need a visa that lets you work.

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Last updated 20 December 2022

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Date printed 03 May 2024

Essential Skills Work Visa

This visa was for people who had a job offer for a role that could not be filled by New Zealanders. It closed on 4 July 2022.

Length of stay

Processing time, with this visa you can.

• Work in New Zealand for an employer who has offered you a full-time job.
• Study for up to 3 months in any 12 month period, or do any study required as part of your employment.

Things to note

• This visa closed to new applications on 4 July 2022 and has been replaced by the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Accredited Employer Work Visa
• You can stay up to 3 years depending on the pay rate of the job you are offered. How long you can stay
• Your partner or dependent children may be able to apply separately for visas based on their relationship to you. Bringing family if you have a work visa

This visa closed permanently on 4 July 2022.

Use the filters below to display relevant tips as well as detailed fees and receiving centre information

What you need to apply

Check if you are eligible to apply for this visa and what supporting documents and information you need to provide.

View All Evidence

You must provide proof of your identity

• 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you use a paper application form.
• your passport or certificate of identity .

Acceptable photos

If you apply online, you must upload a copy of your passport when you apply. We will let you know if you need to send your passport after you have applied.

Providing your passport for online applications

If you submit a paper application, provide your original passport or a certified copy.  We can usually process your application faster if you provide your original passport.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand.

You must also provide your Kartu Keluarga .

If you are not a French national, you must provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.

You must also provide a copy of your livret de famille.

If you are a Filipino citizen leaving the Philippines, your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you plan to leave. This is a departure requirement in the Philippines.

Also provide a copy of your Identity card.

Also provide your:

• Hukou (household registration book)
• Chinese identity card.

If you are a citizen of China and you submit a paper application form in China, you must also complete a supplementary form.

Supplementary form for Chinese citizens (INZ 1027) PDF 338KB

If you are submitting a paper application form, you must provide a supplementary form for Hong Kong and Macao visitors, workers and students.

Supplementary form for Hong Kong and Macao visitors, workers and students (INZ 1220) PDF 240KB

You must be of good character

If you have a criminal conviction or are a security risk to New Zealand we may not be able to grant you a visa.

Good character for temporary visas

You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then.

You also must provide police certificates if we ask for them.

If you are 16 years old or younger you do not need to provide police certificates.

Providing police certificates

How to get a police certificate

If you have already sent us Police Certificates with a previous visa application and they are less than 24 months old, you do not need to send them again.

Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. They must be from any country you are a citizen of, or have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.

If you are applying for an Essential Skills work visa on or after 19 July 2021, and you have previously provided a police certificate with a visa application, then you do not need to provide another police certificate with your Essential Skills visa application.

If you provide a police certificate that is not in English, you must provide an English translation .

This includes police certificates that record no convictions.

The acceptable character certificate for the Philippines is the NBI clearance.

You must be in good health

We may ask you to have a chest x-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your good health.

If you are staying less than:

• 6 months you do not normally need a chest x-ray. 
• 12 months you do not normally need a medical certificate. 

Who needs an x-ray or medical examination

When we process your application we let you know if we need you to have a chest x-ray or medical examination.

Acceptable standard of health criteria for visa approvals

Please only provide medical certificates if requested

You must provide a chest x-ray completed in the last 3 months, even if you've provided one to us previously, if:

• you have spent 6 consecutive months in China since the last x-ray certificate was issued, and
• you are now coming to NZ for more than 6 months.

Genuine intentions

You must genuinely intend to meet the conditions of your visa

When we decide if your intentions are genuine, we consider all the information:

• you provide to support your application
• we have about your personal circumstances, and
• you provided in any previous applications.

Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ

New Zealand job offer

You must have an offer of full-time work

Your job offer must:

• be current at the time you apply for your visa
• be for full-time work

You must provide a copy of your employment agreement as evidence of your job offer. The employment agreement must include:

• your employer’s name and contact details
• your name and contact details
• your job title
• the address for your place of work 
• the kind of work you’ll be doing and your responsibilities at work
• details of any necessary qualifications or work experience
• information about whether you’ll need New Zealand registration to do the work
• how long the work will be for
• how long you have to take up the job offer
• pay and work conditions that comply with New Zealand employment law.

Your employment agreement must be with an employer who has a history of compliance with immigration and employment law. We won’t normally grant a visa if your employer is included on the list of non-compliant employers maintained by the Labour Inspectorate.

Employment agreements and rights

List of non-compliant employers

Job offer scams are common in India and South Asia, ensure your job offer is genuine.

How to determine how realistic the job offer is

Your employer can’t pay you less than they’d have to pay a New Zealander to do the work.

Your job offer can’t be for work planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops in the horticulture or viticulture industries.

If a labour hire company has offered you work in the construction sector in Canterbury, the labour hire company must be accredited.

See a list of accredited labour hire companies

Your dependent children can apply for visas to study in New Zealand if you will be earning at least $43,322.76.

Availability of New Zealanders

There must be no New Zealanders available to do the work you have been offered

You must provide an ‘Employer Supplementary Form’ completed by your employer

Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) PDF 388KB

We update this form often. Check that your employer provides you with the latest version of the form.

Your employer must also provide evidence they have made genuine attempts to recruit New Zealanders, unless:

• you have been offered a job on one of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists and you meet the qualification and work experience requirements listed for your occupation
• you are applying to keep working in your current role and have been invited to apply, or have applied, for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa based on your current employment, or
• you are applying for a visa to work in your current full-time role, with the same employer and in the same region, and you have a work visa (including a Working Holiday Visa), a student visa to study Masters or PhD degree (which has unlimited work rights), or a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa either for a critical health worker, or for more than 6 months as an ‘other critical worker’.

Your employer’s evidence can include:

• website and newspaper advertisements
• records of engaging with a recruitment company 
• a Skills Match Report from Work and Income New Zealand — your employer must supply this if the work they are offering you will pay below the median wage
• the outcome of their recruitment efforts.

Skill shortage list check

Qualifications and experience

You must be qualified to do the work you have been offered

You need to show that you meet the skills, qualifications, work experience and other requirements of the job you have been offered. Evidence of qualifications can include:

• original or certified copies of your qualifications
• evidence the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) recognises your qualification.

Evidence of experience can include documents that show:

• the work that you did
• the dates you did the work
• how many hours a week you worked (on average)
• the contact details for your employer or employers
• how your work experience relates to the work you’ve been offered in New Zealand.

You can check the specific qualifications and experience you need by searching ANZSCO for your occupation. 

ANZSCO Version 1.2 | Australian Bureau of Statistics

If you need to provide evidence of relevant work experience in Eastern Europe , you should provide a copy of your official workbook from that country.

If you need to provide evidence of work experience in a European country but are not a citizen of a Schengen member state , you should provide evidence of your right to work in that country.

Evidence of your right to work is a copy of your Schengen visa for the time you were working.

Evidence of work experience includes employment certificates, employment contracts, payslips, Social Security System (SSS) records, PhilHealth records and income tax returns (with receipts).

Employment certificates should be on the employer’s official letterhead and include the company’s contact details. A CV or resume is not sufficient.

Certificates of employment must be complete and independently verifiable. The certificate must indicate as a minimum: the positions you held, the periods of your employment, your employer’s address and contact details

If you have worked overseas, you should provide a copy of your work visa and Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or an e-Receipt and copies of your job descriptions.

If you are a citizen of Brazil you should provide your work book as evidence of your work experience.

Occupational registration

You may need New Zealand registration

If registration is required to work in your occupation in New Zealand, you must provide either:

• a certified copy  of your full or provisional New Zealand registration
• confirmation from the appropriate registration body that you’re eligible for New Zealand registration.

You do not have to provide these if you are applying for an Essential Skills visa to work in the same full-time role you currently hold, with the same employer and in the same region, and you make a declaration in your visa application form (INZ 1266) that you hold the required registration.

Stand down period

You must not currently need to spend time outside of New Zealand as part of a stand down period

You cannot be granted a visa to do work paid below the median wage if you are subject to a stand-down period.

The stand-down period policy has been deferred until mid 2022.

You may be subject to a stand-down period if you have spent 3 years working in lower-skilled or below median wage employment in New Zealand on an Essential Skills Work Visa. The only way to satisfy the stand-down requirement is to spend 12 consecutive months outside of New Zealand.

Being subject to a stand-down period does not prevent you from being granted an Essential Skills Work Visa for work paid at or above the median wage, or any other kind of visa that you qualify for.

Visas applied for before 28 August 2017 are not considered when calculating the time spent working in lower-skilled employment.

How pay rates affect essential skills Work Visas

Process and costs

The information below will help you understand the process, timeframes and costs involved in applying for this visa, so you can plan ahead and have the best chance of submitting a complete application.

1 You are offered full-time work in New Zealand

You must provide an ‘Employer Supplementary Form’ completed by your employer describing the work you have been offered.

2 Apply for a work visa

Apply online, upload your documents and pay applicable fees.

Immigration costs

Application cost – This is the charge for Immigration New Zealand to process your application. We do not refund application costs if we decline your application. A non-refundable immigration levy is charged and is included in the cost.

3 We make a decision about your application

If there is anything else you need to do, we will be in touch.

If you are in New Zealand, and your current temporary visa expires before your new visa is granted, we will normally issue you an interim visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.

Interim Visa

Timeframes - Processing

80% of applications are currently completed within this time.

How to submit

Payment methods and receiving centre details if applicable.

Payment methods

Credit Card You can pay by Visa, MasterCard or UnionPay credit card.

Debit Card You can pay by Visa, MasterCard or UnionPay debit card.

Phone enquiries Monday to Friday 06:00 to 22:00

Closed Saturday and Sunday

+649-914-4100

0508-558-855 (NZ callers only)

Other notes

After you apply online, you do not need to send us your passport, or any other documents unless we ask for them.

These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.

Entry permission

You must apply for entry permission when you arrive in New Zealand. You can do this by completing a digital New Zealand traveller declaration (NZTD), or an NZTD paper declaration.

New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.

Arriving in New Zealand

You can be refused entry permission if:

• you don’t meet our character requirements
• your circumstances have changed since you were granted a visa
• you refuse to let us to take your photo, or provide us with your fingerprints or an iris scan, if we ask you for them.

If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand, you must have valid multiple entry travel conditions to return to New Zealand.

Varying the conditions of a work visa

If applying from inside New Zealand, we will normally give multiple entry travel conditions when we grant a visa.

If there are no multiple entry travel conditions and you leave New Zealand the visa will expire.

The travel conditions will be listed on the visa label or in a visa letter.

You may work only in the specific occupation, for the employer and in the location specified on your visa.

You must be paid at or above the New Zealand median wage for work that is assessed as paying at or above the New Zealand median wage.

You must provide evidence of the payment of remuneration if requested by an immigration officer.

You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

You may be able to do other study if it’s required by your employer as part of your employment.

Visa expiry

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

You can stay up to 3 years depending on the pay level of the job you are offered.

How long you can stay on an Essential Skills Work Visa

Visa expiry dates are printed on a visa label or included in a visa letter.